What to do with high blood pressure - #20927
I am super worried about my health right now. For the past few months, I've been feeling kinda off, you know? Like this constant fatigue and occasional headaches, which I thought were just stress from work. Then, I finally went to the doctor after my friend kept nagging me about it (thanks, Louise) and found out I have high blood pressure. They said my readings were in the 150s over high 90s, which doesn’t sound good at all! Nobody in my family really has this stuff—my dad’s always bragging about his “perfect” blood pressure. Anyway, the doctor said I should do something about it, but she mentioned so many things that I ended up confused. I mean, what to do with high blood pressure? I’ve tried cutting back on salt and stuff, but it feels like everything has salt in it! Should I be working out more or what? I’m not super fit or anything, but I walk the dog daily! Also, she said something about stress management, and honestly, I don’t think I’m that stressed, but maybe I am? I’ve been looking online but it feels like everyone has different opinions on what to do with high blood pressure. Should I just stick to eating fruits and veggies, or is that just a myth? What are the key things I should actually focus on? Thanks in advance for any help!
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Doctors' responses
Starting with your blood pressure readings around the 150s over high 90s, this falls into the range of Stage 1 hypertension, which does require attention but manageable with some lifestyle changes alongside medical guidance. First, about diet: Keep aiming to reduce sodium intake as it’s crucial for lowering blood pressure. You’re right that it seems like salt is in everything, but focus on preparing meals at home, checking labels for low sodium options, and flavoring food with herbs and spices instead. Increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables is beneficial—they’re full of potassium, which can help balance out sodium levels. The DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) is a good plan to follow. Exercise is key too. Walking your dog is a great start, but try to gradually increase physical activity to 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, like brisk walking, cycling, or swimming. It’s not about being super fit overnight, but steadily making activity a part of your routine. Stress management can indeed be tricky to evaluate personally, so consider techniques like meditation, yoga, or even just dedicated relaxation time in your day. Mindfulness-based exercises can be surprisingly effective. If you smoke or consume alcohol frequently, look into reducing or quitting as these can affect blood pressure. Remember to stay consistent with blood pressure monitoring and keep in touch with your healthcare provider for personalized advice, possibly including medication if that ever becomes necessary. No need to panic, but definitely helpful to be proactive with these strategies.
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